Motor-driven rotary stepping switch



May 3, 1960 M. A. CARTER MOTOR-DRIVEN ROTARY STEPPING SWITCH Original Filed May 25, 1956 INVENTOR N A. C R BY 1 ATTORNEY .iHI C) mung United States Patent Divided and this application May 8, 1957, Serial No. 657,915

15 Claims. (Cl. 200-105) My invention relates to stepping switches and is directed particularly to a motor-driven rotary stepp ng switch for sequentially switching in or out a plurality of circuits.

This invention is a divisional application of my application Serial No. 587,292, filed May 25, 1956, entitled System for Automatically Displaying Illuminated Pictures and Delivering Sound Messages Coordinated Therewit The present invention is directed specifically to an improved rotary switch mechanism forming part of the automatic display system disclosed in the abovementioned application.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved rotary stepping switch which is especially suitable for automatic sequence display apparatus and the like.

Another object is to provide a stepping switch of the character described which is inexpensive to manufacture,

easy to connect into associated circuits, positive in oper-' ation and durable in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top view of a two-gang stepping switch embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the switch shown in Fig. i;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the stepping switch taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view showing the indexing disc associated with the stepping switch, in elevation; and

Fig. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating how the switch may be stepped by electrical pulses.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the improved stepping switch embodying my invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10, the same comprising a pair of spaced, parallel, end mounting brackets 11, 12 interconnected by a U-shaped end wall 13 as by screws or rivets 14. Secured against the outer end of the end wall 13 is a drive motor 15 having a reduced speed output shaft 15a extending through said wall. ecured on said shaft is a ratchet indexing wheel or disc 16, having a number of peripheral steps equal to the number of switch positions (six in the present example). Secured within the U- shaped end wall 13 is a single-pole single-throw microswitch 17 having its actuating lever cooperatively disposed with respect to the indexing disc 16.

ICE

Coaxially disposed with respect to the output shaft 151: are a pair of centrally apertured contact discs 18, 19 of insulating material, held in spaced relation between the brackets 11, 12 by respective angularly disposed mounting straps 2-0, 21, as can best be seen in Fig. 2. The discs 18, 19 are formed about their periphery with angular steps within whichjare secured individual metallic wiping contact members 22 having extensions 23 over-. hanging the next successive contact member. Said contact members each are formed with angularly bent side portions 24 riveted as at 25 for securing them in place in their respective discs 18, 19 (see Fig. 3). The rivets 25 furnish convenient contact terminals to. which circuit wiring can readily be soldered. The contact disc 18 has secured about its central opening an annular contact ring 26 to which circuit connection can be made by soldering and which is contacted by a rotor brush member 27 forming part of a rotary contactor 28. The contactor 28 comprises an apertured U-shaped member 29 securely mounted on the shaft 15a by a screw 29a Riveted to the U-shaped member 29 is an insulating arm 30. The arm 30 carries the resilient brush member 27 in such a manner that it is always in contact with the ring 26 while the shaft 15a rotates. The rotary arm 30 also carries at its outer end a pin 31 about which is wound a coil spring contactor 32 having one end 33 anchored in the opening of the rivet connecting the brush member 27, so as to be in electrical contact therewith. The other end of the spring contactor 32 is bent into a U-shaped finger 34 that resiliently presses against the respective wiping contact members 22 to make individual contact therewith as the shaft 15a is rota-ted by the drive motor 15.-

The rotary contactor 35 associated with the contact disc 19 differs from the rotary contactor 18 only in that the rotor brush member 36 is connected directly to the wiring, indicated at W, through a rotary connector member 37.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the stepping switch 10 can be stepped by means of a normally open pulse switch 38, which may be automatic in operation or manually controlled such as by a push button or treadle switch, connected in series with the electrical source 39 energizing the motor 15. The microswitch 17, actuated by the indexing disc 16 is connected in parallel with the pulse switch 38, so that once the motor 15 has been started by actuation of the pulse switch 38, the disc 16 will be turned to actuate the microswitch 17 and keep the motor energized until the Inicroswitch actuating lever falls into the valley of the next ratchet tooth of said disc to open circuit the microswitch, whereupon the motor 15 will become de-energized again at a position corresponding tlo9 the next switching step of the ganged contact discs 18,

The number of teeth on the indexing wheel 16 may be equal to or less than the number of contacts 22 on disc 18 or 19. In the illustrations fewer teeth (six) are shown than the number of contacts (twelve). However, each tooth must occupy one-twelfth of the circumference of the disc 16. Switch 17 will always remain closed while disc 16 turns until the valley of a ratchet tooth comes into position releasing the switch 17 and stopping the action. Thus, by varying the number of'ratchet teeth, any number of contacts may be by-passed.

While I have described and illustrated a particular embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only, and that various omissions or changes in arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described, can be made Without depart ing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a radial arm on said shaft, a coil spring on said arm insulated from said shaft, a fixed insulating disc coaxial relative to said shaft, a plurality of contacts on said disc insulated from one another, a spring finger on said coil spring adapted to successively engage said contacts as said shaft is rotated, a brush connected with said coil spring, a circular contact coaxial with said shaft, said brush being adapted to retain engagement with said coaxial contact as the shaft is rotated.

2. The combination of claim 1, a ratchet on the shaft, means to rotate the shaft, and a switch adapted to be actuated successively by the teeth of the ratchet as said shaft is rotated.

3. The combination of claim 1, said contacts on said disc each having a peripheral portion overlying and spaced from a portion of the next adjacent contact. 4. The combination of claim 1, including a ratchet cam disc on the shaft, a switch adapted to be actuated successively by the teeth of said cam disc as said shaft is rotated, an electric motor for rotating said shaft, and an energization circuit for said motor, said switch being connected in said energization circuit.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the number of teeth of said ratchet cam disc is equal to the number of said plurality of contacts.

6. The combination of claim 4, including a normal- 1y open pulser switch connected in parallel with said cam disc actuated switch for initiating actuation of said latter switch by first energizing said motor.

7. A stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a radial arm fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a spring on said arm, an insulating disc fixed coaxially relative to said shaft and having a central circular annular con tact through which the shaft passes, a plurality of contacts on the periphery of said discs insulated from one another, a finger on said spring adapted to successively engage said contacts as said shaft is rotated, and a brush fixed to said spring and making sliding contact with said circular annular contact.

8. A stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a radial arm fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a spring on said arm, an insulating disc fixed coaxially relative to said shaft and having a central circular annular contact through which the shaft passes, a plurality of contacts on the periphery of said discs insulated from one another, a finger on said spring adapted to successively engage said contacts as said shaft is rotated, and a brush fixed to said spring and making sliding contact with said circular annular contact, said contacts on said disc each having a peripheral portion overlying and radially spaced from a portion of the next adjacent contact.

9. A stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a radial arm fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a spring on said arm, an insulating disc fixed coaxially relative to said shaft and having a central circular annular contact through which the shaft passes, a plurality of contacts on the periphery of said discs insulated from one another, a finger on said spring adapted to successively engage said contacts as said shaft is rotated, a brush fixed to said spring and making sliding contact with said circular annular contact, a ratchet cam disc on the shaft, and a first switch adapted to be actuaed successively by the teeth of said cam disc as said cam is rotated. 7

10. A stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a

radial arm fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a spring on said arm, an insulating disc fixed coaxially relative to said shaft and having a central circular annular contact through which the shaft passes, a plurality of contacts on the periphery of said discs insulated from one another, a finger on said spring adapted to successively engage said contacts as said shaft is rotated, a brush fixed to said spring and making sliding contact with said circular annular contact, a ratchet cam disc on the shaft, and a first switch adapted to be actuated successively by the teeth of said cam disc as said cam is rotated, an electric motor for rotating said shaft, and an cnergization circuit for said motor, said switch being connected in said energization circuit.

11. A stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a radial arm fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a spring on said arm, an insulating disc fixed coaxially relative to said shaft and having a central circular annular contact through which the shaft passes, a plurality of contacts on the periphery of said discs insulated from one another, a finger on said spring adapted to successively engage said contacts as said shaft is rotated, a brush fixed to said spring and making sliding contact with said circular annular contact, a ratchet cam disc on the shaft, a first switch adapted to be actuated successively by the teeth of said cam disc as said cam is rotated, an electric motor for rotating said shaft, an energization circuit for said motor, said switch being connected in said energization circuit, and a normally open pulser switch connected in parallel with said first switch for first energizing said motor to rotate said shaft and actuate said first switch, the number of teeth of said ratchet cam being equal to the number of said plurality of contacts whereby said stepping switch will he stepped from contact to contact.

12. A ganged stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a plurality of radial arms fixed in spaced relation to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a spring coil on each of said arms, a plurality of insulating discs, one for each of said arms, fixed in spaced relation coaxially relative to said shaft, a plurality of contacts spaced about the periphery of each of said discs and insulated from one another, a spring finger on each of said coils adapted to successively engage contacts on one each of said discs as said shaft is rotated, a brush fixed to each of said coils, and contact means coaxial with said shaft and adapted to make sliding contact with one end of each of said brushes as said shaft is rotated.

13. A ganged stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a plurality of radial arms fixed in spaced relation to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a spring coil on each of said arms, a plurality of insulating discs, one for each of said arms, fixed in spaced relation coaxially relative to said shaft, a plurality of contacts spaced about the periphery of each of said discs and insulated from one another, a spring finger on each of said coils adapted "to successively engage contacts on one each of said discs as said shaft is rotated, a brush fixed to each of said coils, and contact means coaxial with said shaft and adapted to make sliding contact with one end of each of said brushes as said shaft is rotated, said contacts on each of said discs having a peripheral portion overlying and radially spaced from a portion of the next adjacent contact.

14. A stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a radial arm secured to said shaft, a fixed insulating disk co-axial relative to said shaft, a plurality of angularly spaced contacts on said disk insulated from one another, a spring finger mounted on said arm and insulated from said shaft and adapted to successively engage said contacts as said shaft is rotated in one angular direction, a brush connected with said spring finger and attached to said arm, a connector journaled on said brush and located co-axially of said shaft and having brushing contact with said brush as said arm is rotated, and a wire attached to said connector.

15. A stepping switch comprising a rotary shaft, a radial arm secured to said shaft, a fixed insulating disc coaxial relative to said shaft, a plurality of spaced contacts fixed on said disc and tangent thereto, insulated from each other, contact portions extending from said spaced tangent contacts overlapping the tangent portion of each successive contact, a spring finger mounted on said arm and insulated from said shaft and adapted to successively engage said contacts as said shaft is rotated in one direction, a brush connected with said spring 6 finger and attached to said arm, a circular connector, coaxial with said shaft, said brush being adapted to retain engagement with said coaxial connector as the shaft is rotated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,681,194 Ruckelshaus Aug. 21, 1928 1,837,956 Eppley Dec. 22, 1931 1,874,100 Hanel Aug. 30, 1932 2,187,373 Cheney Jan. 16, 1940 2,347,735 Coyne May 2, 1944 

